Lost in Random: The Eternal Die

The image shows a menacing figure shrouded in smoke wearing a mask with glowing eyes. In front of that figure is the main character Aleksandra, wielding a purple sword on the left, and her sentient die Fortune stands by her right. The whole image is in purple tones, with the words Lost In Random, The Eternal Die on the left of the image.

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Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is the new game developed by Stormteller Games. Serving as both a stand-alone game and sequel to the events of Lost in Random. We take the role of Queen Aleksandra as she attempts to stop the Eternal Die in this new rogue-like Hack’ n Slash game. If you’re like me and enjoyed the world of Random wish to know more. Then it’s out now on Steam for £19.99, with the Fortune Edition costing £31.99. With it, you get the soundtrack, art-book and two additional outfits. If you’re a little sceptical or just want to try before you buy, then a demo is also available.

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Better face my demons, or “die” trying.

The game takes place after the events of the first game, but I wouldn’t say you need to have played it. As Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is more about us learning about the Queen’s backstory. With her facing memories and dealing with them, but that’s me putting it mildly as not to spoil anything.

Aleksandra walks across a dilapidated wooden bridge towards a camp fire. Two people are seen next to it, one is made of stone. While the other is wearing clothes that look like they're made of dice. The stone man has a purple exclamation mark above his head showing we can interact with him. — “Odd” lands, “Even” better Opportunities.

Gameplay

The combat is a little different from what you would have expected from the previous game. We don’t roll the die to determine how many actions points we get. Instead, throwing fortune (our sentient die friend) serves as a form of AOE attack. Aleksandra will have a variety of weapons to unlock thanks to the character Rack, who we used to modify/swap out our weapons. So far, there are only four weapons in the game, so I’m not sure if we will get more.

Each weapon has several sets of effects that Aleksandra can apply to better suit the players’ play-style. Be it adding a burn effect to your sword or giving your bow’s arrows scattered shot. For unlocking them, you’ll need to pick up Cinder while going through each run. But I wouldn’t worry, it’s hard not to do. As this is what is used to unlock weapons and mods.

Aleksandra is dashing around a large frog like enemy, all while avoiding its attacks. She slashes her sword, which launches a tornado and throws a die at the enemy. Top of the screen is the creatures' health bar and the bottom left is Aleks's health and magic bar. — One of the bosses in the game.

Pearls & Relics

In the game, you get a small grid for creating builds with, and it’s filled by collecting two types of chests. Relics is the first and more important of the two, as this is an item with an effect for Aleks. Some of which will better utilise the weapon’s effects. While doing a run when I would focus on getting burn damage, it got to a point where enemies would explode, but I could heal thanks to two Relics.

Relics also have a colour which is random, so there isn’t any you’ll have to focus. The second chest has coloured Pearls. Matching three of the same colour in a straight line will boost your stats for that run. Pearls will disappear when matched, but Relics will just lose their colour.

Several boxes with various objects such as roll of bandages and bones. All of which represent a relic in the game. Some of them are surrounded by coloured squares. In the bottom left is the stat screen with various colours, each one for having a certain meaning. For example, red is weapoon damage. — This is the grid you have to work with.

Sanctuary

Between runs, Aleksandra gets dropped back to Sanctuary, where we can buff her up. This comes from Aama the toad, who grants you several blessings that are purchased with Pip Dust. These blessings offer amazing and helpful effects, with each getting two to pick from two choices. I focused more on the blessing while playing, compared to upgrading my weapons.

While on a run, you will come across other denizens of the Black Dies domain. And these colourful cast of characters all provide story and background to the world of Random. Once found, they’ll appear at Sanctuary waiting for you. Some might even have more info about the world or gift outfits and useful upgrade materials.

Graphics & Audio

When I picked up the original Lost in Random, oddly enough, “randomly” it was mainly the art-style that caught my eye, which is definitely a highlight for the game. Its clay-style look and dark, grungy colour palette really drew me in, and has a sort of Tim Burton-esque gloom to it. All the characters are eye-catching and I never get bored looking at individual each design of the characters and surrounding environments. Not to mention the stellar voice acting really bringing each character to life, making every boss, merchant and everything in between even more interesting.

The cherry on top of everything for me though is the Die’s voices and simplistic yet interesting designs, highlighting how adorable yet intriguing they are.

A man wearing a red suit and top with gold trim is swaying merrily. Aleks throws a die onto a red and black platform, which lands on a 6. The 6 glows yellow and a chest piece begins to move along a board. — Try your luck of the die.

Longevity

Each run, in Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, takes roughly 20 to 30-ish minutes. And that’s more down to learning the games’ mechanics rather than lack of randomness. As the game is really light when it comes to the rogue-lite gameplay.

I beat my first run after eleven and a half hours in. The ending I got was the basic ending, but there is another one. Which I assume is the true ending. In addition, I also unlocked the Sigil of Misfortune. This adds more challenges to the run, as well as harder enemies. And if you beat that, you’re able to increase the difficulty even more.

Final Thoughts

For the story side of things, the game is amazing. I was excited to learn more about the tragedy that happened to Queen Aleksandra in the first games. And more so on finding out how the world of Random was created. Gameplay-wise it’s solid, but it does also feel less random with not a lot changing between runs. But that doesn’t take away from the great combat and fun abilities you’re able to combo together. I would say the last boss was a little bit of a letdown. However, I love the Duke & Duchess boss as I felt it suited the theme of Randomness world perfectly. And not just from a story standpoint, but in combat as well. If you loved the first game, then I’d highly suggest Lost in Random: The Eternal Die just for the bits of lore alone.

Playing new games, there’s always a chance that it’s not the one. Luckily enough, the game rolled a six with me.

And that’s why Lost in Random: The Eternal Die gets the Thumb Culture Platinum Award.

Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.

About Author

Kyle McGrath

I’ve enjoyed video games for as long as I remember and I don’t think there isn’t a game I wouldn’t play. For reviews, I try my best to make them simple and easy to understand. With so many games released daily, I attempt to play them all.

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Lost in Random: The Eternal Die – PC Review